The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-04-09
EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
WASHINGTON, April Z, 1887. (

| Aho 6hS WI
| EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, April Z, 1875
George Steel. Esq, President american
Fishery Union and others, Gloucester,
MGSS.:
GentlemeN-I have received your letter
lately addressed to me, and have given
full consideration to the expression of
the views and wishes therein contained
In relation to
THE EXISTING DIFFERENCES
between the governments of Great
Britain and the United States, growing
out of the result of the refusal to award
to our citizens engaged in fishing enter
prises privileges to which they are en-
titled. either under treaties, stlpuIa-
tions or guarantees of inter
national comfy and neighborly COL.
cession, sincerely trust the appre-
| hension you express of unjust and
unfriendly treatment of American
| fishermen lawfully found IN Canadian
waters will not be realized; but if such
apprehension should prove to be well
| founded, l earnestly hope that no fault
or inconsIderate action of any of our
citizens will. in the least, weaken tie
just position of our government or de-
prive US of the sympathy and support
to which we should be entitled. The
action of this administration. since
June, 1885, when the fishery articles Of
the treaty of 1871 were Terminated,
under notification, which had two years
before been given by our government,
has been fully disclosed by correspond
ence between the departments, and the
appropriate departments OF the re-
spective governments with which
am apprised by your letter,
you are entirely familiar..
An examination of this correspondence
| has doubtless satisfied you that in no
case have the rights or privileges of
American fishermen been overlooked or
neglected, but that, on the contrary,
they have been seduously insisted upon
and cared for by every means within
the control of the executive branch of
the government. The act of Congress
approved March Sd, 1887, authorizing
COURSE OF RETALIATION
through executive action in the event 0
continuance on the part of the British
American authorities of unfriendly con-
duct and treaty violations affect
ing American fishermen has de-
volved upon the President Of
the United States exceedingly
grave and solemn responsibilities,
comprehending highly the important
consequences CT our national character
and dignity, and involving the ex-
tremely valuable commercial inter-
course between the British possessions
of North America and the people of the
United States. understand the main
purpose of your letter is to suggest that,
in case a recourse to the fetsli-
atory measures authorized by this act,
should DE invoked by unjust treatment
of our fishermen in the future, the
object of such retaliation might be &C.
complished by prohibiting Canadian
caught fish from entering into ports of
the United States. The existing contro-
versy is one in which two nations
are the parties concerned. The retalia-
ton Contemplated by Congress
is to be enforced, not to protect solely,
any particular interest, however val
liable, but to maintain national honor,
and thus protect all our people. In
this view, violation of
AMERICAN FISHERY RIGHTS,
and unjust or unfriendly acts towards
a portion of our citizens engaged in this
business, is but the occasion for action,
and constitutes a national affront,
which gives birth to or may justify re
tai alton. These measures once re-
verted, its effectiveness and value may
well depend upon the thoroughness and
extent of its application. and IN the
performance of international duties,
the enforcement of International rights
and the protection OF our citizens,
this government and the people
of the United States must
act as unit, all intent upon attaining
me best result of the retaliation upon
tbsbasis of the maintenance OF national
honor and duty. a nation seeking by
anv means to N aintain Its honor, dig
nifty and integrity, is engaged IN pro
tecting the rights OF its people, and II IN
such efforts, particular interests are IN
irred and special advantages forfeited,
these things should be periodically
borne for the public good. The I'M
noense volume of population, manu-
factures and agricultural productions,
and marine tonnage and railway to
which these have given activity are
al largely the result OF inter
course CO.. Sc Between the United States and
British America and the natural
Growth of full half century OF good
5eighborhood and friendly communlca-
ton from an aggregate OF material
wealth and incidental relations OF the
most Impressive magnitude.
/ fully appreciate these things, and am
not unmindful of the great NUMBER Oh
our people who are concerned In such
VAST AND DIVERSIFIED
interests. In the performance OF the
serious duty, which Congress has i'm